Helping hands dig in

By Tania Martin
HILLS students have helped to build a playtime wonderland for a family in Croydon.
All hands have been on deck over the past six months to help with a garden makeover for the Toynton family who have been facing an uphill battle with cancer.
The family’s five youngest children can now play in the sand pit, take a spin on the swings or play house in a cubby after their new-look garden was officially unveiled on Sunday, 12 November.
Melanie Toynton of Croydon has breast cancer and for the past 18 months has been in and out of hospital while her husband, Peter, has had to give up work to help out with their six children.
Six months ago students from Knoxbrooke Incorporated, a Mt Evelyn-based horticulture program for adults with disabilities, decided to give the couple a garden makeover.
And with the help of hills schools including Mountain District Christian School, Mt Evelyn Christian School, Pembroke Secondary College, Ringwood Secondary College, and Lilydale Secondary College, set about making the perfect play area for the Toynton children.
Jay Pinkster of Knoxbrooke said the project gave students the opportunity to put their skills to use in a real-life situation while helping someone in need.
“Through a friend I found out that Melanie had cancer and the family was finding it hard to keep the garden in shape,” Mr Pinkster said.
He said it was inspired by the television show Backyard Blitz and the project vision quickly expanded from basic garden maintenance to a total garden makeover.
Mr Pinkster said the project was a remarkable initiative because people with disabilities are often dependent on others for care and support and that through gardening, the students could provide care and support to others.
Ms Toynton said the backyard blitz project was an inspirational gift that has been very therapeutic for her.
“It has been just lovely to see the transformation of our garden,” she said.